M.A. in Educational Leadership and Policy

Curriculum

The 36-credit Educational Leadership and Policy program at the University of Rhode Island prepares aspiring leaders through a dynamic curriculum that integrates foundational knowledge, applied skills, and real-world experience. Designed for working professionals, the program can be completed in 8 to 9 semesters, offering flexible start dates in the fall, spring, or summer. Candidates collaborate with the program coordinator to develop a personalized course sequence that aligns with their professional goals.

The curriculum is structured into three key components:

• Foundation Coursework (15 credits): Establishes a strong theoretical foundation in educational leadership.
• Methods & Application Coursework (15 credits): Provides hands-on strategies to drive school improvement and instructional leadership.
• Internship (6 credits): Immerses candidates in real-world leadership experiences through two internship courses paired with reflective seminars.  The internships are designed to be integrated with candidates’ current professional roles, allowing them to apply leadership concepts in their existing school or district settings while fulfilling program requirements.

Connection to Standards

The program aligns with the Rhode Island Standards for Educational Leaders (RISEL), the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards, and applicable International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards. These frameworks ensure that candidates acquire the essential leadership competencies required to drive positive change in schools and districts. Coursework, assignments, and field experiences are strategically integrated to meet these standards, fostering continuous reflection and growth.

Courses

Foundation Coursework

• EDC 529 Foundations of Educational Research
• EDL 500 Engaging Communities for Change
• EDL 501 Legal and Ethical Issues in Educational Leadership
• EDL 502 Fiscal Management for Educational Leaders  
• EDL 503 Operations & Management for Educational Leaders

Methods & Application Coursework

• EDL 504 Program Evaluation for School Leaders
• EDL 505 Supervision of Instruction
• EDL 506 Instructional and Curriculum Leadership 
• EDL 507 Managing Human Capital
• EDL 508 Leading School & District Improvement

Internship

• EDL 510 Internship I + Seminar
• EDL 511 Internship II + Seminar

EDL Program Curricular Map

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* EDL 520 – This course is for candidates interested in obtaining a superintendents certificate.

** EDL 521 – This course is for candidates interested in obtaining a director of special education certificate.

Courses

Foundation Coursework

• EDC 529 – Foundations of Educational Research: Introduces major educational research approaches and requires candidates to develop a research proposal, including a literature review and data-analysis plan.
• EDL 500 – Engaging Communities for Change: Builds skills to engage families and communities in school improvement, turning support into advocacy for student success.
• EDL 501 – Legal and Ethical Issues in Educational Leadership: Examines the legal, ethical, and political foundations of school leadership, from due process and discipline to school safety and student rights.
• EDL 502 – Fiscal Management for Educational Leaders: Covers school finance, budgeting, and facilities management, with attention to ethics and equity in budget decisions.
• EDL 503 – Operations & Management for Educational Leaders: Applies leadership and organizational theory to school operations, resource management, and improvement planning.

Methods & Application Coursework

• EDL 504 – Program Evaluation for School Leaders: Prepares leaders to plan, evaluate, and use data to improve school and district programs.
• EDL 505 – Supervision of Instruction: Focuses on supervising, evaluating, and developing classroom instruction with an emphasis on equity and student engagement.
• EDL 506 – Instructional and Curriculum Leadership: Prepares leaders to align and refine curriculum and instruction, including the use of high-quality instructional materials.
• EDL 507 – Managing Human Capital: Covers recruiting, developing, and retaining effective, culturally competent teachers and staff.
• EDL 508 – Leading School & District Improvement: Builds skills to lead data-driven, equity-focused school and district improvement efforts.

Internship

• EDL 510 – Internship I + Seminar: First of two supervised internships applying RISEL standards in real school leadership settings, paired with reflective seminars.
• EDL 511 – Internship II + Seminar: Continues the supervised internship experience, building toward principal certification.

Additional Certification Coursework

• EDL 520 – School Plant Planning (Superintendent track): Prepares aspiring superintendents to plan, site, and manage school facilities.
• EDL 521 – Supervision of Special Education Programs & Services (Director of Special Education track): Prepares candidates to lead special education programs, including budgeting, staffing, and legal compliance.